Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption elsewhere - ongoing, since Oct 2014

[whole diary]

[chrisr_75]

Not directly related to FGWland, but an interesting article nonetheless about a derailment earlier this week suspected to be linked to the current high temperatures. Article includes an interesting photo of a rather badly buckled rail taken during the 2006 heat, which illustrates what can happen when things get a bit too hot:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-33342819

I'm not entirely sure what happened to the front half of the cow in the top picture...!! 

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

1653 Reading to Banbury stopper cancelled.  1723 Reading to Oxford stopper is about 40 late at Reading.  1755 Reading to Oxford stopper is 10 late.  So nothing from Reading to Tilehurst, Pangbourne etc for about 90 minutes.  Truly awful ^ but it^s good news for taxi drivers as Mrs GTBE (and others I^m sure) give up on FGW^▸ (First Great Western).

[grahame]

Looks fairly much like a meltdown from where I'm sat stood.

I'd describe a meltdown as practically no trains running at all...

So I can call a gap from 12:47 to 18:52 in services in Wiltshire today a "meltdown"?     ... especially as the train that was supposed to have formed the services between got hot-weather-itis.  Almost like old times with l-o-n-g gaps, but once in a while, and with alternative road transport ... I suspect I'm much more understanding than I used to be.

[TaplowGreen]

I was lucky - bailed out early and caught the 1714 from Reading which left on time, most trains at Reading were showing delayed but not by too much, but by the time I got back to Taplow Central everything was showing up 20/30 mins late.

Good luck getting home folks.

[NickB]

17.49 awaiting a fitter once again. Tedious tedious tedious.
For good measure the 18.18 is delayed and the 18.42 cancelled so good luck to fellow Maidenhead victims passengers.

[TaplowGreen]

Sounds like SW trains are having problems out of Waterloo too - pal of mine is trying to get to Bracknell, turfed off at Twickenham and told he might as well go to the pub till 8

[TonyK]

Sounds like SW trains are having problems out of Waterloo too - pal of mine is trying to get to Bracknell, turfed off at Twickenham and told he might as well go to the pub till 8

That's what I told my wife, too. 

[Gordon the Blue Engine]

Thames Valley passengers victims may be reassured (!) by this recent FGW^▸ (First Great Western) advert for Ribena Girls (ie Customer Ambassadors):

^You^ll cover every inch of your station to go the extra mile for our customers. You^ll be empowered to deal with a variety of different situations. And you^ll enjoy proactively helping our passengers and brightening up their day whatever the weather.

We help millions of rail passengers to get to where they want to go. And every single journey is important. Which is why we^re looking to take our customer service to a whole new level. 

We^re looking for people who can provide a passenger experience like no other. Someone who can think on your feet and make quick decisions, you must be able to connect with and talk to our customers face-to-face. You should be a confident communicator who can put people at ease and help those who are worried or in a hurry in a tactful and sensitive way. Above all you^ll need to be hard working and share our ^customer first^ approach and passion for making a positive difference to the passenger experience. ^


I think it^s fair to say that FGW provide ^a passenger experience like no other^.  And are these Human Remains people who write these adverts real? Or are they clich^ robots?

Edited for strikethrough

[johoare]

I decided to not play their games tonight and travelled a bit later.. I got the 20.18 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to MAI^▸ (Maidenhead station).. It was 3 carriages..I'm not sure how may carriages it usually is though.. As soon as we got on the driver apologised for the air con not working.. I should have stayed in the pub a couple of hours longer..That had to have been 40 degrees on the train. that really isn't acceptable..

[bobm]

At least ladies only glow while us men perspire. 

[JayMac]

I sweat.

Like a pig.

[TonyK]

Thames Valley passengers victims may be reassured (!) by this recent FGW^▸ (First Great Western) advert for Ribena Girls (ie Customer Ambassadors):

^You^ll cover every inch of your station to go the extra mile for our customers. You^ll be empowered to deal with a variety of different situations. And you^ll enjoy proactively helping our passengers and brightening up their day whatever the weather.

We help millions of rail passengers to get to where they want to go. And every single journey is important. Which is why we^re looking to take our customer service to a whole new level. 

The one I saw at Bath Spa a couple of weeks back was sweet. She was the cleanest and best polished thing in the station, and also did a very good job of rearranging the temporary timetables, put into display cases by a colleague, back into alphabetical order. Se had the support of every male member of staff with a pulse. Job done, she jumped on the next (decent) train to Bristol, accompanied by a cohort of young men in suits (or is it a phalanx?), who appeared from nowhere, and hung on her every word all the way to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains).

If that's not the extra mile, what is? Unless she is paid to combat dyslexia, that is.

[bobm]

I know one who works at Exeter St Davids and she goes not only the extra mile, but walks it - traipsing from the gateline to platforms 4 and 5 and back many times throughout her shifts.

[johoare]

At least ladies only glow while us men perspire. 

Ha ha there was no glowing or perspiring on that train.. Just lots of sweating...

[Oxonhutch]

Problems again today. Now held on the up relief outside West Drayton. Crossed over from the up main at Dolphin Junction. Signalling problems between Slough and Southall West. No sign of movement yet.

Correction. Now on move slowly. Up main looks blocked.